Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi’s ambitious project of making world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will see its first phase kicking-off soon. The first phase, for which bids have already been invited, is estimated to cost around Rs 2,063 crore, which will involve construction of the main statue, a bridge connecting the statue to the river bank and reconstruction of the 12-km road along the bank.

Modi will lay the foundation stone of the project on October 31 - the 138th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The iron collection drive will also begin from the same day.

“This is very ambitious project. We plan to develop it in two phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in 42 months after the allotment of work to the suitable party. Presently, global tenders are being invited till November 30. After evaluation of these tenders the work will be allotted,” said R S Patel, executive engineer, Tourism Development section, Government of Gujarat.

The proposed 182-meter tall Sardar Patel’s statue – The Statue of Unity, will be erected on a small rocky island in the middle of the Narmada riverbed facing Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia. The statue will have steel framing, reinforced cement concrete (RCC), and bronze coating.

“The statue will have casting sheet works. And parts of the statue will be brought prepared from different locations,” said Patel.

The Statue of Unity, which is being undertaken by the state-funded trust, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET), will be double the size of ‘Statue of Liberty’ (which is 93 meters) in the US and four times higher than the statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ located in Rio De Janeiro. Modi himself heads the SEPRET.

“There are sentiments attached with this statue. Sardar was the son of a farmer; secondly, he was named the Iron man of India. Therefore, we are collecting the remains of used agri-equipments from farmers in 700,000 villages across country to join in building the tallest statue,” said Ganpat Vasava, minister for forest and environment and tribal development, Government of Gujarat.

“There will be two lifts in the entire statue and a balcony in the eye of the statue. Visitors can view the beautiful natural surroundings and the Sardar Sarovar Dam at such height,” said Vasava, while briefing the media persons here.

The entire project will include the statue, a memorial park at the base of the statue, an artificial reservoir between the Dam and Garudeshwar town and a visitor facilitation centre and reception desk at Kevadia.

“The total height of the statue from the base (or reduce level) will be 240 meters, which includes base level of 58 meters, pedestal with the height of 25 meters and the main statue of 157 meters,” Patel told media persons.

According to government officials, the Indian arm of Turner Project Management, which worked on the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa of Dubai is giving consultancy for the project and construction management. Also part of the consortium is US-based Michael Graves and Associates Inc and German firm Meinhardt India Private Limited.